STM basketball coach out

Latest: 10:02 pmCHAMPAIGN -- People can't believe what happened at a high school Friday. The girls' head basketball coach at St. Thomas More doesn't have a job there anymore and it's all because of an FBI investigation. WCIA-3's Matt Wettersten has the latest.

This is a shocker, especially to the team which just one the state championship last month. Chris Mennig told WCIA-3's Aaron Bennett he knew the FBI was investigating him about his finances. He also said he's done nothing wrong.

Mennig's lawyer says he hasn't been charged or arrested. Now, the principal at STM wouldn't say if Mennig was fired or not. He would only say the coach is no longer with the school. He wouldn't say why.

Of course, this was the talk of the school for the day. Kids wondered if the state title could be taken away. The IHSA says it's not investigating the coach or the team at this time.

One player's grandparent, Beverly Bristow, says she was surprised at the news, but says she has no concerns about Mennig. Timothy McCoy has two daughters at STM, including Tori, one of the top high school players in the country. He says he wants to keep them at STM, even if Mennig isn't the coach.

Latest: 4:41 pmCHAMPAIGN -- It's been a little more than a month since a girls' basketball coach won state. Now, he's out of a job. Chris Mennig no longer works for the High School of St. Thomas More. He was the head girls' basketball coach. WCIA-3's Erica Quednau has more.

Mennig told WCIA-3's Aaron Bennett the FBI was investigating his finances. He says it has nothing to do with STM, his team or recruiting.

Ryan Bustle, principal at STM, wouldn't say if Mennig was fired or resigned, just that he no longer represents St. Thomas More. Anything else would be a personnel matter and they don't comment on that.

Friday, while students were getting out of class at STM, a car full of students yelled out they support Mr. Mennig. Players have been tweeting support for him throughout the day.

Coach Mennig has a long history in women's basketball. Twice, the National Basketball Insider ranked him the 17th Most Influential Person in women's basketball.

Mennig also has experience in college basketball. He's been an assistant at UI, Illinois State and Arizona State. He also helps run the Blue Star Basketball Organization.

Update: 4:15 pmCHAMPAIGN -- WCIA-3's Aaron Bennett spoke to Coach Mennig Thursday. He said the FBI investigation has nothing to do with the school, the team or recruiting. He wouldn't go on the record with what the investigation involves.

The school won't say why, but we do know there is an active FBI investigation involving the coach. Mennig guided the Sabers to the class 2A Girls' State Basketball Championship last month. We will have more on this story at 5, 6 and 10.

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